Report: Three teams request to interview Eric Bieniemy

UPDATE: Tuesday, 6:57 p.m. Arrowhead Time.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport outlined Bieniemy’s upcoming schedule this week. Bieniemy will meet with the Carolina Panthers on Thursday and the New York Giants on Saturday, per Rapoport.

UPDATE: Tuesday, 10:41 a.m. Arrowhead Time

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said that the Cleveland Browns have also requested an interview with Bieniemy. This one is interesting to watch, given the Browns general manager being John Dorsey, the former general manager of the Chiefs.

UPDATE: Monday, 10:45 a.m. Arrowhead Time

Rapoport reports that the New York Giants have also requested to interview Bieniemy for their head coaching position.

Panthers request to interview Eric Bieniemy

[Originally posted Monday, December 30, at 8:43 a.m. Arrowhead Time]

The Carolina Panthers have requested to interview current Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy for their vacant head-coaching position, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The Panthers fired another member of the Andy Reid coaching tree, Ron Rivera, on December 3. Last offseason, Bieniemy interviewed with the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he reportedly turned down an interview from the Arizona Cardinals.

Last Wednesday, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid discussed what he has done this season to prepare Bieniemy for such an opportunity.

”It seems like play-calling is always the issue,” said Reid. “[Bieniemy] called during the preseason. He helps me with all of the set-ups. The only reason I do it is because I enjoy doing it. I don’t enjoy this (talking to the media), but I enjoy that. It’s one of those things. If that’s the issue, that shouldn’t be an issue.

“Most of all, you’re going to get a leader of men. That’s what he does. He knows football like the back of his hand. He is passionate about it and a great person. I’m a big fan of his. Don’t really want to lose him, but I have a feeling that’s going to happen. Somebody is getting a championship-caliber coach there.”

Reid added he doesn’t believe that play-calling in the regular season is necessarily an indicator of what will be a good head coach.

”I never called a play before I became a head coach,” said Reid. “Heck, I was a line coach.”

Last Thursday, Bieniemy showed appreciation for head-coaching consideration before directing the attention back to the Chiefs’ task at hand.

“It’s always great to be recognized for an opportunity down the line,” said Bieniemy. “It’s truly a blessing. Do not get me wrong. I am very honored. to have that opportunity for my name to be placed out there. When it’s all said and done with, I have a job to do. That job right now, [last Thursday], is to make sure we’re prepped and ready to play the Chargers on Sunday.”

NFL.com’s Kevin Patra pointed out that the Chiefs under Bieniemy as offensive coordinator have scored more points per game than the two previous coordinators who became head coaches — Doug Pederson (Philadelphia) and Matt Nagy (Chicago).

Bieniemy, of course, had Patrick Mahomes. Wherever he ends up, Mahomes will be staying in Kansas City.